Brake System Operation
Warning: Do not operate the vehicle with the front brakes backed off or disconnected. Backing off or disconnecting the front brakes will not improve vehicle handling and may lead to loss of vehicle control, resulting in property damage or personal injury.
Before driving your vehicle, allow time for the air compressor to build up a minimum of 100 psi (690 kPa) pressure in both the primary and secondary systems. Monitor the air pressure system by observing the dual system air pressure gauge and the low-air-pressure warning light and buzzer. The warning light and buzzer shut off when air pressure in both systems reaches 64 to 76 psi (441 to 524 kPa).
Important: Before driving the vehicle, secure all loose items in the cab so that they will not fly forward during a full brake application. Make sure all passengers are wearing seat belts.
During normal brake stops, depress the foot brake control pedal until braking action slows down the vehicle. Increase or decrease the pressure on the pedal so that the vehicle comes to a smooth, safe stop. Apply the spring parking brakes if the vehicle is to be parked.
When parking a vehicle attached to a trailer that does not have spring parking brakes, apply the tractor parking brakes. Chock the trailer tires before disconnecting the vehicle from the trailer.
Important: An air brake proportioning system may be used in tractor air brake systems when the vehicle is not equipped with antilock braking system (ABS). When operating in bobtail mode, the rear brake chambers (on which the axle load has been greatly reduced) receive reduced (proportional) air pressure, while the front axle brake chambers receive full (normal) air pressure. This results in a different brake pedal "feel," as the pedal seems to require more travel and/or effort to slow or stop the vehicle. However, the air brake proportioning system actually improves vehicle control when the tractor is in bobtail mode. When the tractor is towing a trailer, the rear brake chambers will receive full (normal) application air pressure.
Note: If equipped with main and auxiliary transmissions, do not shift both transmissions into neutral while the vehicle is rolling. Shifting both transmissions back into gear would be difficult while the vehicle is rolling.
On tractor-trailer vehicles, if both the primary and secondary systems become inoperative, the trailer service brakes or spring parking brakes will automatically apply when air pressure drops below 35 to 45 psi (241 to 310 kPa). The tractor spring parking brakes will automatically apply when air pressure drops below 20 to 30 psi (138 to 207 kPa). On straight trucks, spring parking brakes will apply when air pressure drops below 20 to 30 psi (138 to 207 kPa). Do not wait for the brakes to apply automatically. When the warning light and buzzer first come on, immediately bring the vehicle to a safe stop. Before continuing operation of the vehicle, correct the cause of the air loss.
Warning: If a trailer or combination vehicle is not equipped with spring parking brakes, do not park it by pulling out only the trailer air supply valve knob. This would apply only the trailer service brakes. If air were to bleed from the trailer brake system, the trailer brakes would release, possibly causing an unattended runaway vehicle.
Warning: Do not use the trailer service brakes for parking; they are not designed for this purpose. If air bleeds out of the trailer air tank during parking, the vehicle could roll, causing serious personal injury or property damage.
Notice: Never apply the service and spring parking brakes simultaneously. To do so transmits excessive input force to the brake components, which could damage or cause eventual failure of brake actuating components.
Do not use the spring parking brakes if the service brakes are hot, such as after descending a steep grade. To do so could damage the brakes. Allow hot brakes to cool before using the spring parking brakes.
Do not use the spring parking brakes during freezing temperatures if the service brakes are wet. To do so could cause them to freeze. If the brakes are wet, drive the vehicle in low gear and lightly apply the brakes to heat and dry them.
Brake Controls
The trailer brake lever is used for applying the trailer brakes without applying the truck or tractor service brakes. It is usually mounted on the steering column. See Fig.. The valve can be partially or fully applied, but in any partially on position it will be overridden by a full application of the service brake pedal. Moving the lever clockwise (down) applies the trailer brakes, while moving it counterclockwise (up) releases the trailer brakes. The lever will remain in the selected position until it is manually moved.
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Tilt/Telescopic Steering Column Lever
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Four-Way Hazard Flasher
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Turn Signal Lever
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Headlight Dimmer Switch
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Electric Horn
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Trailer Brake Control Lever
Fig. 1, Trailer Brake Control Lever
The red octagonal-shaped knob actuates the trailer air supply valve. See Fig.. After the vehicle's air hoses are connected to a trailer and the pressure in both air systems is at least 65 psi (448 kPa), the trailer air supply valve must be pushed in. It should stay in to charge the trailer air supply system and to release the trailer spring parking brakes.
Pull the trailer air supply valve out before disconnecting a trailer or when operating a vehicle without a trailer. If pressure in both air systems drops to 35 to 45 psi (241 to 310 kPa), the trailer air supply valve automatically pops out, exhausting the trailer air supply, and applying the trailer service or spring parking brakes.
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Trailer Air-Supply-Valve Knob
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Parking-Brake-Valve Knob
Fig. 2, Brake Valve Knobs
The yellow diamond-shaped knob actuates the parking brake valve. See Fig.. Pulling out the parking brake valve applies both the tractor and trailer spring parking brakes and automatically causes the trailer air supply valve to pop out.
If the trailer is not equipped with spring parking brakes, pulling out the parking brake valve applies the tractor spring parking brakes and the trailer service brakes. When the tractor and trailer parking brakes (or trailer service brakes) are both applied, the trailer brakes are released by pushing in the trailer air supply valve, leaving the tractor parking brakes applied. Air pressure in the primary or secondary reservoir must be at least 65 psi (448 kPa) before the tractor spring parking brakes, or the trailer service or spring parking brakes, can be released.
On trailers not equipped with spring parking brakes, chock the trailer tires before disconnecting the truck or tractor.
When parking a truck or tractor with a trailer (combination vehicle), and the trailer is not equipped with spring parking brakes, apply the truck or tractor spring parking brakes.